The Communication Toolbox has moved to 215 Sandhurst Boulevard, Sandhurst Vic 3977! The clinic is spacious, sun-lit and importantly, well resourced and I am looking forward to my first session here on Thursday!
Taking the Time to Communicate: Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Creating a map of folders in your communication system that contain all the words you like to use, as well as room for what you might like to say in the future
- Identifying core vocabulary items that relate to the activities you enjoy, so that you can access the words you need at the appropriate time
- Storing vocabulary items within your communication system so they can be accessed quickly without requiring too much navigation through folders
- Programming vocabulary logically so that you can find what you want to say
- Establish trust
- Develop receptive language skills (e.g. learn new vocabulary and how the words fit into sentences)
- Develop confidence to communicate (especially if one has not had the opportunity to experience communicative success before)
- Learn how to use the communication system
- Learn how and where words are stored in the communication system
“Too often we stop trying AAC if the person doesn’t start using it right away! Typically developing children get 12 months of people talking to them before they’re expected to speak!”
Great News about Proloquo2Go!
In my last post I wrote about how it would be great if you could program recorded speech onto buttons in Proloquo2Go. Well…Happy New Year everyone because it’s going to happen! On the 31st of December, 2011, the Proloquo2Go Facebook page announced that “the ability to record and play back audio” will be added in 2012! It will be available as a free update and “will be added after [version] 2.0, probably in 2.1 or 2.2”. This will be a fantastic addition to the Proloquo2Go app!
I’ve previously outlined a few ideas for using audio in Proloquo2Go and I have some more to add to the list:
– recording cheers to use when watching sports
– singing a song (depending upon whether there is a time limit on the recording)
– people who are able to produce clear speech at the start of the day but fatigue as time passes might like to record their own voice into Proloquo2Go
To access the full Facebook post and comments, please follow the link: http://www.facebook.com/proloquo2go?ref=ts
Making Proloquo2Go Even Better
I recently emailed AssistiveWare (the company that created Proloquo2Go) with some suggestions for inclusion in a future software update. Wouldn’t it be great if you could program recorded speech or a sound file onto buttons in Proloquo2Go? The possibilities would be endless! You could record or add:
– laughter (instead of relying on a vocabulary item that says” ha ha ha” – which can sound a little sarcastic!)
– drama lines (for all the performers out there)
– whistles (e.g. to get a friend’s attention)
– gasps (great to convey surprise in a conversation)
I’d love to read your suggestions too. Please feel free to leave a reply via the link below.
Proloquo2Go
I’ve just been reading about the new update for Proloquo2Go, a great app that allows you to communicate using symbols and text via your iPhone, iPad touch or iPad. The app is relatively easy to use and can be customised to include all the vocabulary items you need for specific activities, which can be arranged within categories.
I’ve been doing lots of Proloquo2Go programming lately and am really happy that the bug that makes buttons move around within categories has been fixed!
For more information on Proloquo2Go, please visit http://www.proloquo2go.com/
The Communication Toolbox
The Communication Toolbox provides speech pathology services for children and adults who want:
- advice and information about communication aids and devices
- training and guidance on the use of technology for communication
- therapy aimed at further developing speech and communication skills
We provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) options such as communication boards and books, Electronic Communication Devices and computer software.